Typewriting machine



Dec. 20, 1932. B. J. DOWD TYPEWRVITING MACHINE Filed Sept. 14, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet l Snnentor fle/vzard Jflowd, MM W 1M n lllllllllll ll I ai attorneys.

Dec. 20, 1932. B. J. DOWD TYPEWRITING MACHINE Filed Sept. 14, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec. 20, 1932.-

B. J. DOWD TYPEWRITING MACHINE Filed Sept. 14, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 "mam Dec. 20, 1932. a. J. DOWD TYPEWRITING MACHINE 4 Shuts-Sheet 4 Zhwentor/ ,Btfi'fldfd Jfiaw d, MM" M15175 I GttotnegS,

Filed Sept 14, 1931 Patented pa. 20,1932

"UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE mm a'osnrrr Down, or wrs'r rmn'rronn, connncrrcur, assroivon'. T0 ROYAL COMPANY, INCL, OF NEW YORK, N. Y A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK TYPEW'BLITING E Application filed September 14, 1931. Serial No.'562,788.

invention relates to new and useful improvements in manifolding attachmentsv for typewriting machines or the like and embodies certain improvements over the copending application Serial No. 546,858, filed une 25, 1931, by Myers and Handley relative to'the tensioning means for the ribbon spools.

Among the several objects'of my invention are to provide novel means for supporting the ribbon spools on the machine, cooperating means located beyond the outer spools and engaging the same for applying a normal light tension-on the spools for permitting the type to freely engage the platen, and operable means for effecting the feeding of the ribbons and concomitantly actuating the tension applying means to further increase the tension whereby the spools will be sufiiciently With these and other objects in view'which will more fully appear, the nature of the invention will be more clearly understood by following the description, the appended claims, and the several views illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings I a Figure 1 is a top plan view of a typewriting machine constructed in accordance with my invention, A

Figure 2 is a rear elevation thereof,

Figure 3 is a view in elevation of the right hand side of the machine, parts thereof being shown in section,

Figure 4 is a cross sectional view taken through the ribbon spools and showing the mounting of said spools,

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the spool frame,

Figure 6 is a view in elevation of one of the spacer discs for the spools, Figure 7 is a perspective view of the tension disc, and

Figure 8 is a view showing the relation between a spool hub and the spool supporting shaft. v

As previously stated, this invention relates to improvements in the ribbon spool tensioning and locking means shown in the Myers and Handley application filed June 25, 1931,

and therefore only that much of the typewritmg machine is illustrated in the drawings as Wlll be necessary to an understanding of the present invention.

The typewriting machine includes a main frame A on which a carriage B is supportedfor letter space movements.

co-pending application. Type bars F cooperate with the platen, and a main ribbon G isdisposed in front of the platen. Work sheets H are led forwardly to the platen over a work guide I attached to the carriage, thence over a roller 5 journaled on the carriage, thence downwardly under a guide roller 6 journaled on the carriage below the platen, and thence upwardlypast the platen and have theirupper edge portions clam ed to a truck J whichis mounted on the col ating frame D for line spacing movements, the truck being line spaced by the lever E by a mechanism shown in said. co-pendin application. A'spool supporting frame is disposed in rear of the main frame A and is attached to the carriage to move therewith, theframe K carrying rollers 7, 7 which ride along a rail 8 attached to the main frame A.

The spool frame K'comprises a substantially V-shaped bar 9 having its endjportions attached to the end plates of the carriage. Extending upwardly from the central portion or apex of the bar 9, are integral arms 10, 10 having a fulcrum bearing 11 formed therebetween.

' Fixed to the bar 9 below the bearingll is the inner or front end of a; rearwardly extending spool supporting shaft 12 having flat sides 13, 13. Slidably mounted on the shaft 12 is a plurality of spacing discs 14,

each disc being provided with an eccentric circular opening 15 for receiving the shaft and with an angular opening 16 which merges with the opening 15 andinterlocks with the flat sides 13 of the shaft to retain the disc against rotation. Rotatably mounted on the shaft 12 and located between adjacent spacin discs are ribbon spools L, each comprising aliub 17 and carbon strips or ribbons M. The carbon strips or ribbons M are led from the spools forwardly along the left side of the carriage, thence along and in front of the platen and in rear of the main ribbon G and in interleaved relation with the work sheets, and thence rcarwardly along the right hand side of the carriage to a rib bon feeding means 18 which includes co-opcrating feed rolls 20, 20. The ribbon feeding means 18 is actuated from the collating frame D by connections shown in said copending application. Means are provided for normally and collectively tensioning the spools against feeding rotation, and operat1ve means are provided for actuating the ribbon feeding means and increasing the action of the tensioning means to effect the locking of the spools against feeding rotation prior to the completion of the operation of the ribbon feeding means, whereby the last part of movement of the ribbon feeding means will render the ribbons taut and thereby prevent the worksheets from dragging the ribbons upwardly therewith during line Y spacing movements of said work sheets.

Threadably mounted on the outer end of the shaft 12 beyond the outermost spacing disc 14 is a stop 21, and slidable on the shaft between said disc and stop is a tension collar 22. A coil spring 23 is disposed around the shaft between the stop 21 and collar 22.

Slidable on the inner end of the shaft 12- between the bar 9 of the spool frame K and the innermost spacing disc 14 is a tension disc 24 provided with a forwardly extending hub 25 and a forwardly extending guide pin 26 having a head 27 on its inner end, the pin having sliding engagement ina guide opening 28 formed in a bracket 29 fixed to and depending from the bar 9. A vertical lever 30 is fulcrumed intermediate its ends on the fulcrum seat 11 of the bar 9 and the lower end of this lever is disposed between the bar 9 and the tension .disc 24, said lower end of the lever being formed with an opening 31 for receiving the inner end of the shaft 12. The upper end of the lever 30 extends between the arms 10, 10 of the bar 9 and is engaged by a cam 32 fixed on a horizontal rock shaft 33 which is journaled in bearings 34, 34 located on the upper ends of the arms 10, 10 and in a bearing 35 formed on one end of the spool frame K. In orderto rock the shaft 33 and thereby increase the tension on the spools so as to lock the latter against feeding rotation immediately prior to the completion of the ribbon feeding operation, I have provided said shaft 33 with a rock arm 36 to which I have pivotally connected one end of a link 37 the forward end of said link being pivotally connected to one arm of a bell crank lever 38 which is fulcrumed on the carriage and is operable upon swinging the carriage return lever E.

From the foregoing, it Wlll be apparentthat normally a slight tension is applied to the several ribbon spools and consequently during the printing operation the type bar will not be resisted by the ribbons during its movement of impact against the platen. After a line has been written on the work sheets the operator swings the carriage return lever E and as a result the collating frame G is swung forwardly and the platen rearwardly to relieve the normal tight engagement between the work sheets and the platen; the ribbon feeding means 18 is then actuated by further movement of the carriage return lever E in the same direction, and immediately prior to the last part of the feeding movement of the ribbons the tension lever 30 will be actuated to further increase the tension on the ribbon spools and during the last part of the movement of the carriage return lever E in the same direction the truck J will be moved upwardly along the collating frame G to effect a line spacing move ment to the work sheets H. During this line spacing movement of the work sheets, the ribbons will be held taut owing to the fact that the tension on the spools which had been increased remains in the same condition. The amount of this increased tension applied to the spools may be varied by adjusting the therewith, ribbon feeding means mounted on the carriage, a horizontal spool shaft secured at one end to the spool frame, a ribbon spool including a hub rotatably mounted on said shaft, means located onopposite sides of the hub for normally and directly applying a slight tension thereto, and operable means for actuating the ribbon feeding means and concomitantly actuating said tension applying means to'further tension the spool against feeding rotation.

.2. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a main frame, of a carriage mounted thereon for letter space movements, a ribbon spool frame fixed to the carriage to move therewith, ribbon feeding means mounted on the carriage, a horizontal spool shaft secured atone end to the spool frame, a llbbOll spool comitantly including a hub rotatably mounted onsaid shaft, means located on o posite sides of the hub for normally and d irectl applying a slight tension thereto and including means for varying said tension, and operable meansfor 'actuatmg the ribbon feeding means and concomitantly actuating said tension apply-' 'ing means to further tension the spool agalnst feeding rotation.

3. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a main frame, of a carriage mountedthereon for letter space movements, a rib-' bon spool frame fixed to the carriage to move therewith, ribbon feeding means mounted on the carriage, a horizontal spool shaft secured at one end to the spool frame, a ribbon spool .rotatably mounted on said shaft, means located on opposite, sides of the spool for normally applying a slight tension thereto and including having threaded connection with the shaft and a coil spring disposed around the shaft between the spool and the stop, and operable means for actuating the-ribbon feeding means and concomitantly actuating said tension ap} plying means to further tension the spool against feeding rotation.

4. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a main frame, of a carriage mounted thereon for letter space movements, a ribbon s 001 frame fixed to the carriage to move is erewith, ribbon feeding means mounted on the carriage, a horizontal spool shaft secured at one end to the spool frame, a ribbon spool rotatably mounted on said shaft, means including a normally inactive lever, and a.

spring respectively located on opposite sides of the spool for normally applying a light I tension to said spool, and operable means for actuating the ribbon feeding means and consaid tension.

5. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a main frame, of a carriage mounted thereon for letter space movements, a ribbon spool frame fixed to the carriage to move therewith, ribbon feeding means mounted on the carriage, a horizontal spool shaft secured at one end to the spool frame, a pair of spaced brake discs slidably mounted on said shaft, a ribbon spool rotatably mounted on said shaft between the discs, means including a normally inactive lever and a spring respectively located on the shaft beyond the discs for norv mally applying a light tension to said s 001,

means for varying said tension,- sald tenslon varying means including a stop.

actuating the lever to increase at one end to the spool frame a ribbon spool rotatably mounted onsaid shaft, means located on opposite sides of the spool for nor-' mally applying a slight tension thereto comprising a stop secured to the outer end of the shaft, a coil spring disposed around the shaft between the spool and the stop, a tension disc slidable on the inner end of the shaft, and a vertical lever fulcrumed'on the spool frame and having its lower end disposed between said frame and, tension disc, and operable means for actuating the ribbon feeding means and'concomit ntly actuating the lever to further increase aid tension.

7. In atypewriting machine, the combination with a main frame, of a carriage mounted thereon forletter space movements, a r1bb0n 'spool frame fixed to the carriage to move therewith and providedwith a guide opening, ribbon feeding means mounted on the carriage, a horizontal spool shaft secured at one end to the spool frame and provided with flat sides, a plurality of spaced brake discs slidably mounted on the shaft and res ectively provided with axially located key ole 'slots having interlocking engagement with the flat sides of the-shaft, a ribbon spool located between said brake discs and rotatably mounted on the shaft, means including a normally inactive lever and a spring respectively located on the shaft beyond the discs for normally applying a light tension to said spool, and operable means for actuating the ribbon feeding means and concomitantly actuating the lever to further increase said tension.

8. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a main frame, of a carriage mounted thereon for letter space movements, a ribbon spool frame fixed to the carriage to move therewith and provided with a guide opening,

ribbon feeding means mounted on the car riage, a. horizontal spool shaft secured at one end to the spool frame and provided with flat sides, a plurality of spaced brake discs slidably mounted on the shaft and res ectively provided with axially located key ole slots having interlocking engagement with the flat sides of the shaft, a ribbon spool located between said brake discs and rotat- .ably mounted on the shaft, and means for normally applying a slight tension to the spool comprising an adjustable stop removably'secured to the free end of the shaft be-' yond the outermost disc, a collar slidably mounted on the shaft between the stop and the outermost disc, a coil tension spring disposed around the shaft between the stop and the-collar, and a tensiondisc slidably mounted on; the shaft between the spool frame and the innermost brake disc, a vertical lever fulcrumed on the spool frame and having its lower end disposed between said frame and tensiondisc, and operable means for actuating the ribbon feeding means and concomitantly actuating the lever to further increase the tension.

9. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a main frame, of a carriage mounted thereon for letter space movements, a ribbon spool frame fixed to the carriage to move therewith and provided with a guide opening, ribbon feeding means mounted on the carriage, a horizontal spool shaft secured at one end to the spool frame and provided with flat sides, a plurality of spaced brake discs slidably mounted on the shaft and respectively provided with axially located key hole slots having interlocking engagement with the flat sides of the shaft, a plurality of ribbon spools respectively located between adjacent discs and rotatably mounted on the shaft, and means for normally applying a slight tension to the spools comprising an adjustable stop removably secured to the free end of the shaft beyond the outermost disc, a collar slidably mounted on the shaft between the stop and the outermost disc, a coil tension spring disposed around the shaft between the stop and the collar, a tension disc slidably mounted on the shaft between the spool frame and the innermost brake disc, and a guide pin fixed to the disc below the shaft and extending longitudinally of the shaft and having sliding engagement with the guide opening in the spool frame, a' vertical tension lever fulcrumed on the frame above the shaft and having its lower end dis osed above the guide pin and between the rame and the tension disc and rovided with an opening for receiving the sffaft, and operable means for actuating the-ribbon feeding means and concomitantly actuating the lever to further increase said tension. I

10. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a main frame, of a carriage mounted thereon for letter space movements,

' a ribbon spool frame fixed to the carriage to move therewith and provided with a guide opening, ribbon feeding means mounted on the carriage, a horizontal spool shaft secured at one end to the spool frame and provided with flat sides, a plurality of spaced brake discs slidably mounted on the shaft and respectively provided with axially located key hole slots having interlocking engagement with the flat sides of the shaft, a plurality of ribbon spools respectively. located between adjacent discs and rotatably mounted on the shaft, and means for normally applying a slight tension to the spools comprising an adjustable stop removably secured to the free end of the shaft beyond the outermost disc, a collar slidably mounted on the shaft between the stop and the outermost disc, a coil tension spring disposed around the shaft between the stop and the collar, a tension disc slidably mounted on the shaft between the spool frame and the innermost brake disc, and a guide pin fixed to the'disc below the shaft and extending longitudinally of the shaft and having sliding engagement with the guide opening in the spool frame, a vertical tension lever fulcrumed on the frame above the shaft and having its lower end disposed above the guide pin and between the frame and the tension disc and provided with an opening for receiving the shaft, a horizontal rock shaft journaled on the spool frame above the spool shaft and arranged in a plane at right angles to the latter, a cam fixed to the rock shaft and engageable with the upper end of the tension lever, and operable means mounted on the carriage for actuating the ribbon feeding means and for concomitantly actuating the rock shaft to further tension the spools against feeding rotation.

11. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a rotatable ribbon spool including a hub, of ribbon feeding means, means located on opposite sides of the hub and di-' rectly engaging the same for normally applying a slight tension to the spool against the action of the ribbon feeding means, and

means for concomitantly actuating the ribbon feeding means and the tensioning means for increasing the tension against said spool.

12. In a typewriting machine, the combination with a stationary shaft, of a plurality of ribbon spools freely journaled on said shaft and respectively provided with hubs for frictional contact with one another, rib- 

